Last week, I sent out a Letter from Ireland covering many of the common first names in Irish.
Consult this map of Ireland and its counties to figure out which your ancestor lived in.
On an island divided by political and religious borders, about 8,000 plucky Irish Latter-day Saints have discovered a way to find unity through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Learn about the ancient traditions of Samhain, the Celtic New Year.
As the first week of October beckons upon us, another holiday season is just around the corner. From the kids trick or treating to the adults baking treats for the family, we have decided to give our readers a delicious traditional Irish barmbrack recipe that will no doubt spice up your Halloween!
A blog about Irish, Scottish, Scots-Irish, Southern, history, folklore, the Faerie Faith, Second Sight, Big White Beard, historia celta,
Davy Holden joins Jody live at the Iowa Irish Fest to talk about Irish rebel songs.
Discover the top things to do in Clifden, Ireland! From stunning coastal hikes to vibrant local culture this guide has all the tips and tricks
We list the best things to buy in Ireland from traditional wool to traditional beer. We also say which Irish souvenirs are worth their weight in Guinness
Discover the top things to do in Clifden, Ireland! From stunning coastal hikes to vibrant local culture this guide has all the tips and tricks
How to find free Irish vital records shows how the family historian can find and download free historic birth, marriage and death civil registration records for both the North and South of the island of Ireland.
A stone’s throw from Lough Neagh, the ruins of Antrim Castle loom starkly over the banks of the Six Mile Water River. It was built on the site of a 12th-century motte and bailey – affectionately nicknamed the ‘Cake’, because of the effect created by the candle-like Scots pine trees – which still provide
Dingle is one of the best small towns in Ireland. With a wide range of excellent choices check the guide to the Best Hotels in Dingle Ireland
Jamie Ditaranto is a traveler in a love triangle with writing and photography. Follow the drama on Twitter @jamieditaranto and Instagram @jamieditaranto. Ditaranto joined SmarterTravel in 2015. She loves ecotourism, cities with history, and discovering local hangouts. Though she likes all the continents equally, she holds a special place in her heart for rainy little islands. Her work has also appeared online at USA Today, Huffington Post, Business Insider, and other publications. You can check out her photography on her website. The Handy Item I Always Pack: "My instant camera comes in handy for giving instant gifts to new friends." Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Befriending penguins in Antarctica." Travel Motto: "You have to get the hard places out of the way first." Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "On short flights, the window. For long flights, the aisle." Email Jamie at [email protected].
Should you visit Dublin or Belfast? This detailed guide on Belfast vs Dublin - covers all the factors to consider before traveling there
So, you’re sure your ancestors came from the Emerald Isle?
There are lots of similarities between Ireland and Scotland. Here are our top ten Irish surnames that are actually Scottish.
In this article, we highlight the top 100 Irish surnames (family names / last names) you’re bound to experience at least once in your life!
I have always loved the sounds of flutes and whistles. I learned to play the flute in Middle school and was so bad, I was asked to leave the band. I have to say, I don't like modern flutes as much I love tin whistles, Irish flutes and fifes. They have such an old-fashioned, simple, and romantic sound. The tin whistle is rather easy to learn. The fife and Irish flute take a little more practice of breath control but they both have the same finger positions as the tin whistle. Fifes started to be used for military moral-lifting and for military commands in the 1600s and were highly utilized by Napoleon. Tin whistles (also known as penny whistles, flageolets, and Irish whistles,) have been used at least since the 1500s. They were historically used by vagabonds and urchins in street performances but were not made of tin until 1843. By the 1860s whistles were popular children's toys and an adult amusement popular in Irish music. For those who wish to learn, I have charted out the finger positions and some simple songs to start out with. A lot of people have fifes and tin whistles but have never learned to play. Some good resources to learn online are: Whistle Away Whistle This (A really good site for hearing different renditions and playing styles that does not get updated anymore.) Tin Whistle This site has videos on how to play. Resources for Historical songs: O' Neill's Music of Ireland This site is good because it has the sheet music as well as MIDI files to listen to. Old Fort Snelling Instruction Book for Fife With Music of Early America by Donald Mattson and Louis Walz in whistles, but have never learned to play. The songs I have diagramed are simple and recognizable tunes that everyone can learn easily. All of them were written before 1870: Mary Had a Little Lamb is probably one of the most recognizable songs in American history. It was said to have been written by Sarah Josepha Hale (of Godey's Lady's Book) as a poem and later put to music. It was based a true story about Mary Sawyer who took her Lamb to school and the havoc that ensued. It was so widespread that Thomas Edison used the first stanza of Mrs. Hale's poem to test his invention, the phonograph, in 1877. Yankee Doodle is said to originally have been written by British officers to mock the Colonial commanders that they served with during the French and Indian War. The Macaroni mentioned in the song refers to the prestigious Macaroni "Club" in England which consisted of educated, over-fashionably dressed lads with enormous hairstyles who were known for their drinking and gambling. In the song, the British made the remark that the Colonists were so low class that they thought someone who had a feather in their hat was of this elite high society. The Rising of the Moon, was written in 1866 to the tune The Wearing of the Green (1798.) The Wearing of the Green described the uprising in 1798 in County Kildare in Ireland.Green was the color of the Society of United Ireland who wished to end British rule in Ireland. Rebels wore green shamrocks in their hats to proclaim their dissatisfaction with British rule.
37 Things to do in Meath Ireland
Characterised by its pubs and winding alleyways, here are quirky, unique & secret spots in Dublin that your guidebook won't tell you about!
A fascinating city with a complicated history. Here's all the best things to do in Derry Ireland, the best pubs in Derry and Derry accommodation tips.
Hoping to seek out some of the loveliest small towns in Ireland? We've rounded up some of the prettiest villages in Ireland here!
There she stands, gracefully and defiantly guarding the tricolor flag of Eire whilst holding the harp of a bard in one hand and the spear of a warrior in the other....representing the two sides of the Irish people. Fittingly, she stands on top of the General Post Office in Dublin, the place where the Irish Republican Army made their desperate attempt at gaining their freedom by overthrowing the British in Ireland, on Easter of 1916.
Do you know your given name in Irish? Many popular names have an Irish equivalent - names like Seán for John, Máire for Mary and so on. And then there are
A comprehensive list of Irish surnames, separated and ordered by the letters of the alphabet.
The incredible outdoor lifestyle, friendly people, the fascinating culture and history, what’s not to love about Ireland? Discover 10 reasons why you should be planning your move to Ireland right now.
March 24, 1990: Irish singer Sinead O’Connor scored her only No.1 UK album with I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got, which featured her chart-topping cover of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U.”
Do you know your given name in Irish? Many popular names have an Irish equivalent - names like Seán for John, Máire for Mary and so on. And then there are
The Celtic Knot Guide: Discover the types of Celtic Knots, their origins and meanings. This Celtic Knot is associated with strength...
Dublin, Ireland is a photogenic and fun city. These 27 locations are some of the most Instagrammable spots in Dublin to take photos.
